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I hadn't the motivation to continue on my other story because I'd lost inspiration... So this kind of came to me in the middle of exam prep and I had to get it out of my system.

Hope you enjoy it...

**

Into the Den

Geran looked back at the darkened woods behind him before he scaled the rock-wall of the rather large camp effortlessly. Though the variegated garment covering his hindquarters was so ratty you could barely tell anything had changed when his outfit caught on a jagged rock and ripped even further. The nimble wolf slipped himself over the thick walled encampment and into a nearby tent. It was empty, always was. He took what he needed from the seemingly endless overflowing packs of dried meats and grain. Swiftly he crept out undetected by the camp patrol, noting the very lax security for such a seemingly rich camp. He brushed his footprints away with a sprig of pine that had remained tucked in his belt 'til now.

Food had become scarce in the winter months, and spring hadn't brought back many herds as it usually did. The land was barren and being sucked dry by the growing industrialization of the settlement he pilfered from. The clan had settled some two years earlier and had killed off most of the sentient beings and prior inhabitants of the land, including the majority of Geran's tribe. He owed them no debt of gratitude.

Geran harrumphed from the effort of the throw as his sack hit the ground on the outside of the wall. Quickly he scrambled back over the wall, returning to the welcoming dark of the night.

The wolf had been absentmindedly wandering the countryside in search of food for the better part of a year after his tribe had been scattered. It was some time after that before he had settled just outside of in a small village in the marshes to the east, an area that was densely inhabited by outcasts from the ruling society or governing body of the time. Though it was very rich with food, diverse in culture, and even more importantly, very secluded and safe, his desire to return to the barrens was too strong to be suppressed.

After a short stay in the marshlands, he had sold his belongings, stashing the gold before he had begun his return across the rolling hills to the barrens. He was unsure of what he would find upon his arrival, but it wasn't a surprise that the encampment had grown and overtaken the plains he had cut through to get here. The settlers from the west who had unceremoniously taken his tribe's land out from underneath their footpads had expanded across the fields, cultivating their crops and raising feral meat for slaughter. It was a relief to see that the woodlands his tribe had occupied had not been levelled. The wolven settlers had camped on the outskirts of the densely wooded forest that expanded for many miles in either direction.

Geran had plans though. The waiting was almost at an end.

*

Darius and Alain tread along the well beaten path leading through the outskirts of the camp. Dew glistened on the long thick blades of grass that eventually gave way to the dense foliage of the forest. In the early morning stillness all of nature's beauty was visible to even the most unobservant. Idle chatter drifted across the quiet woods as the two took their ritual morning stroll. Though there was no danger this close to home, both were armed.

The larger of the two and alpha of the ruling tribe, Alain, moved with the grace of a swan. His short-sword hung at his side, slapping against his thick ebon thighs. Alain's ruby red cloak hung across his neck, flowing out behind him as though he were royalty. In a sense, he was. "We're barely living out here in the barrens, Darius."

The smaller wolf grunted in reply, he knew as well as Alain that the land around them could not sustain the life they had brought with them. Their occupation, in truth, had been swift and brutal, but entirely necessary. Their tribe had been nigh on starvation for months before they'd found a land worthy of settling in, even if for only a short time.

"I guess we will head south once the ice clears and travel becomes less dangerous?" Darius voiced his concern with what he could assume would be their leaders only option.

"I guess we shall." Alain exhaled. Performing as alpha had been a chore these last months as only a few of the more knowledgeable members of their community knew of the food scarcity. Darius, the ever faithful beta, was the one Alain had confided in since birth.

Rolling hills peppered the horizon, ice still capping their pinnacles. The sun was barely up, casting a glaring light across the plains below. Darius coughed quietly and held out a cautionary paw, Alain stopped dead in his inattentive tracks. A lithe looking figure was obscured by the heavy brush on their left. The canid was face down in the brush and barely moving, his clothes were unsightly and revealed more fur than either Alain or Darius were prepared to see.

Darius approached stealthily; as his short sword was drawn from his side it rang steel on steel, calling a challenge out to the unmoving form. The beta crouched beside the canine figure. Protecting his throat with his forearm and his sword ready to strike at any sudden movement he prodded the still form... blood stained the grass around him and was matted to the fur of the unconscious wolf beneath him. He re-sheathed his sword into its holster and effortlessly slung the negligible weight of the unconscious male over his shoulder.

Alain looked at him quizzically before they began their trek back to the encampment. No questions would be asked until their uninvited guest awoke from his trauma induced sleep.

*

Geran woke abruptly to clambering outside of the tent he was in, a glimmering spear-head pointed at his muzzle. He shuffled back against the padded cot he was in. Confusion set in, he looked puzzled. The unmoving spear taunted him, begged him to strike. His guard called out for the alpha.

Alain entered the tent shortly after being summoned by Geran's attentive guard; the alpha had dressed down into simple trousers and a protective leather vest. Still looking noble, he clasped his large paws behind his back and smiled at Geran.

It was not a welcoming smile, Geran knew. Maybe he showed too many teeth when he did it, but Geran knew the insincerity of the gesture.

A long period of quiet was broken as the spear-point was moved away from Geran's muzzle. Alain raised a brow and asked "Who are you, and why are you here?"

"I'm Geran, and I'm here to kill you." The words almost slipped out.

"I'm Geran. I fell last night as I was travelling in the woods and must have hit my head. I passed out and woke up here..." The canine finished. "You could have just left me, you know."

"You're mistaken, you are in my territory. Had I left you I'd not be doing my job of offering those under me protection, would I?" Alain sighed, "Why were you travelling at night?"

Geran lied, "I was on my way to the southern wetlands and trying to put some distance behind me."

"You'll stay with us until you're rested and then we'll decide your fate." Alain placed his fists on his hips matter-of-factly. Whether he believed what Geran had said or not, Alain continued, "You're free to go about your business until that time, but do not think to leave the camp without my explicit permission."

Geran remained silent as Alain turned on his heel, calling back "I'm Alain, by the way." and left the tent.

The guard trailed after him, leaving Geran alone and stripped of his belongings. At least his clothes were clean and whole--they had been accommodating enough to change him.

The wolf sat docile in his undersized cot for a long time, he yawned and stretched out. The day waxed on further and he still deigned to remain silent and still, no one had come to see him. His hunger pains eventually got the best of him as he rose slowly from the bed he winced in pain; sitting all day had cramped him up.

Alain was in the middle of the camp around a small afternoon fire, their eyes made contact, the deep pools of green holding Geran's gaze unwavering until he felt himself staring. Alain grinned when Geran broke eye contact.

When Geran stalked towards the gate Alain made a motion for the guards to let him pass. The alpha stood and moved towards the gate swiftly, Geran could hear him coming from a long way back and wondered if that was as stealthy as the big alpha could be. Geran took several steps off the dirt path and collapsed onto his tail in the tall grass as Alain caught up with him.

The alpha sat down beside him without a word. Alain was almost too close and he could feel that he had invaded Geran's space in a way that made him uncomfortable. The alpha wolf laughed to himself and opened his muzzle to speak, "Why not come in and join us? We're about to eat, you know. And you look like you could use the food." Alain gave the slim wolf an appraising glance that lingered a little too long.

"I don't need your charity." Geran guffawed. He was of course starving, dying to accept Alain's invitation. The wolf sighed.

"It wouldn't be charity, think of it as brotherly love. You are after all one of us." Alain offered again.

"I'm not." Geran protested.

"Suit yourself." The alpha scoffed. Alain stood quickly and left Geran sitting in the cooling late-afternoon wind.

Some minutes later, Geran stood shakily, hunger eating away at his will to defy. The wolf scrambled in an unhurried manner inside the great stone walls and into the center of the sizable camp. Taking a spot on the ground near the back ensured that he didn't eat right away, but plenty of food came his way over the course of the evening.

The night settled in as conversations carried back and forth across the fire, Geran just listened. Only a few simple introductions had been offered grudgingly to the newcomer, nobody seemed to be incredibly interested in him--or in getting to know him. The once small fire had turned into a blazing inferno in the pitch black that now surrounded the camp. A few of the canines who had been drinking wine since they had sat down some hours ago were making their way back to their respective tents but Alain remained, and Darius by his side.

Geran caught the gaze of the alpha as he stood quietly and began to walk amidst the constructed buildings in the middle of the town. Darkness had enveloped the camp entirely; Geran stalked an invisible prey around the bricked buildings. As he rounded the corner of the stables he was taken aback as Alain stepped forward from the shadows. His black fur shimmering from the light cast by the fire some hundred feet away, he smiled at the surprised Geran.

"How long have you been here?" Geran asked.

"Not long, I saw you walk off and decided I'd see what you were doing." The larger male replied.

"Seems like I've peaked your interests, have I?" Geran sneered pompously.

"I don't think you're a danger to my pack. You're welcome to leave, but I'd rather have you stay." The alpha waited a moment, "It's been a long time since I've had anyone in the pack that I can live with. The world out there is harsh, and I can offer you protection from that."

"Why am I easier to relate to than anyone else you've had in your pack?"

The alpha simply smiled. "You told me this afternoon."

Geran felt the air catch in his throat, he had no idea how Alain could know anything. "What do you mean?"

"You're a tail-raiser." The alpha put his hand against the wall of the stable just beside Geran's ear. "Your eyes lingered on mine far too long today, and when I sat next to you in the fields I could smell your arousal."

The large male loomed over him provocatively and if the smaller wolf wasn't entirely disgusted with the thought of sleeping with his sworn enemy... Geran considered denying the accusation entirely, either way he might end up being Alain's evening romp in the mudded hay next to the stables. The alpha looked like he could take what he wanted from the smaller wolf and not break a sweat in doing so.

After deciding that he wasn't just going to walk away from this unscathed, Geran spoke carefully, "What makes you believe that I would ever submit to you? And what gives you the audacity to believe that something as trivial as my sexual preference could make us as inseparable as you seem to think we could be? You've known me for but a day." Geran barked.

"You've known me a day as well. I'm asking you to stay here, with us. You'll be fed and cared for and eventually be a contributor to our pack's survival... and maybe you'll be able to feel something for me eventually." The alpha breathed out and continued, "You're the only other one in this community who prefers the company of men, and I know it must be lonely travelling by yourself out there." His hand gestured, broadly referring to the outside.

Geran grimaced. The beast speaking to him must be an exceptional liar, because these were not the words of a tyrant, a despot, the man who had killed his brothers and sisters, mother, father could be nothing like this. A brutal rapist and murderer stood before him under the guise of honesty and... what? Lust?

He'd had it under control, things were going well... Alain was just another wolf; one deserving of a fate Geran had devised when he'd left the marshes.

Alain leaned in and kissed the wolf on the snout. The alpha then turned his back and left. Geran pressed his back into the exterior wall of the stable, with his anger burning as well as a raging erection he made his way back to his tent and the undersized bed it housed. Geran berated himself; his own body had betrayed him.